GradSave

Don’t Try This At Home: Extreme Ways to Save Money for College

Marcos J. Cordero — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:25:59 +0000

Last week, we told you about students who decided to live in tents for a year in order to pay for school. At the time, we thought that was about as crazy as anyone could get. Boy, were we wrong. Since then we’ve heard even more crazy ways people are socking away money in their 529 college fund, and some of them aren’t pretty! For the sake of your friends, family and sanity, we don’t recommend you try these at home! But do get a good laugh from them, and be happy that you have a more reasonable savings option with your GradSave account!

1. Turn off the lights … and all other utilities. Utility bills are expensive, and you could certainly save a pretty penny by just, well, not paying them anymore. Who needs running water, anyway? The kids will get clean when it rains. Electricity is for wimps! Cavemen survived with no heat or airconditioning and certainly you can, too. Think of all the money you’ll be able to set aside for college as you sit shivering in the winter or dehydrating in the summer.

2. Cheap eats. Groceries are really getting out of hand so pick a meal and stick with it. You can get 10 packages of ramen for $1 in most grocery stores, so why not start with that? Mac-n-cheese is also inexpensive. Concerned about your family’s health? Just buy a few vegetables or, better yet, grow your own. The college conundrum is solved!

3. Sample your meals. Did you know that many grocery stores offer free lunch on the weekends? Sure, they call it “product sampling,” but it’s basically the same thing. Smiling people in aprons will give you tiny cups filled with food for free! Bring the family, and don’t be afraid to ask for seconds.

4. Become a serial returner. Do you need an outfit for a special occasion? Borrow one from the department store. Sure, you’ll have to tuck in the tags and make sure no one spills a shrimp cocktail on it. But it’ll all be worth it tomorrow when you return it to the store and get your money back.

5. Stock up on freebies. Fast-food restaurants don’t charge for those little sauce packets at the register, so grab a handful and never buy ketchup again! You can stock up on pens at the bank, coffee cups at the car dealership, and perfume samples at the cosmetic counter of your favorite department store. Seriously, they’re just giving this stuff away!

Living in a tent may seem pretty sane compared to these extreme ideas. Remember, the best way to save money for your child’s education is with a 529 plan, GradSave, and more realistic money-saving measures.

For more college-saving insights, tips, humor, and information, read the rest of the GradSave blog.

Using College Savings and Financial Aid to pay for College

Marcos J. Cordero — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:23:39 +0000

The price of college education continues to soar. This growing price has caused many parents to save more money and also rely on financial aid awards for their child’s education. However, financial aid does not solely depend on income. Other factors play a part a role determining how much financial aid your child will receive, including how much money has been saved in a 529 plan. This is due to the fact that schools use the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to determine how much a family can afford to contribute to their child’s education. To plan accordingly, parents can use the FAFSA4caster tool offered by the Department of Education to measure their expected contribution variations.

Read the full article here:

http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2013/05/13/how-college-savings-can-affect-financial-aid

Can You Afford to Start Parenting at Middle Age?

Marcos J. Cordero — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:18:14 +0000

With all of the technological advances in the fertility field, parenting at middle age has become more of a norm rather than an exception. One factor to consider is the costs that are associated with children, such as college tuition and fees that will begin at an age where you may be ready for retirement. If you are considering being a late-in-life parent, there are some questions you should ask yourself. These include: Who’s paying for college, can you keep your retirement savings goals intact, will you have to move, and do you have enough life insurance, to name a few. If you decide to make the choice, it would be wise to keep funds in short-term investments such as CDs so that they are easily accessible when the need arises.

Read the full article here:

http://business.time.com/2013/04/11/can-you-afford-to-start-parenting-at-middle-age/

Taskforce Identifies Best Practices Colleges and Universities

Marcos J. Cordero — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:17:22 +0000

The Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities has gathered a task force to evaluate colleges and universities around the country on their ability to best serve our nations veterans. The schools were reviewed based on various criteria including college practices, policies, and procedures in regards to veterans. The goal of the task force is to establish a set of guidelines for institutions to follow that empower veterans to achieve their academic and professional goals.

Read the full article here:

http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2013/04/taskforce-identifies-best-practices-colleges-and-universities/

Becoming Dad – Five Things Mothers Want Dads To Know

Marcos J. Cordero — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:15:44 +0000

Becoming a parent, whether you are the mother or father, can cause great amounts of anxiety. This anxiety sometimes stems from outside sources, but mostly from ourselves, hoping and praying that we will be the type of parent that our baby needs us to be. Both mom and dad have unique roles and challenges that the other may not be aware of. As a mom, we need confirmation that we are doing a good job. We are constantly learning about our “new job”, and evolving the best we can. A dad’s support can make all the difference in the happiness of the mom and family.

Read the full article here:

http://becomingdad.com.au/five-things-mothers-want-dads-to-know/

Should You Pay for Private School?

Marcos J. Cordero — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:17:09 +0000

We all want the absolute best education and upbringing for our kids so they can get into whatever school their heart (and test scores) desire. For some, this includes considering attending a private school versus a public university. This is a big decision due to the various factors that differentiate the two. One of the main factors is the cost of private schools compared to public schools. Some of the price tags for private schools leave us wondering if we are going to have enough to pay for the college our child chooses. An analysis of everything from academics, to which schools they are accepted in to, to the cost of tuition and fees help you decide, if at the end of the day, is private school worth it?

Read the full article here:

http://www.learnvest.com/2013/05/should-you-pay-for-private-school/

The Real Reasons Your Toddler is Crying

Marcos J. Cordero — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:57:29 +0000

The reason for a crying toddler is a mystery to most parents. However, this article breaks crying and tantrums down into behaviors, actions, and reactions that we can all understand. Your response should be based on the type of behavior your child is exhibiting. For example, if your child is throwing a tantrum because he wants attention, you should ignore him. However if he is doing it to avoid doing a task he was told to do, you should address it immediately. The key to avoid these meltdowns is consistency: The more consistent you are, the less frequent the crying and tantrums will occur.

Read the full article here:

http://todayhealth.today.com/_news/2013/04/11/17707234-the-real-reasons-your-toddler-is-crying

6 Steps to Financially Detoxify With a Budget

Marcos J. Cordero — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:56:30 +0000

Sometimes with our finances, we have to treat them just like we would if we wanted to clean out our bodies-detoxify and get rid of the bad stuff. In order to take control of your finances, it is important to take a few key steps. The first is to create a basic budget and decipher needs from wants. Also important is to create a formula for savings, including immediate, mid-term, and long-term needs. If you believe you are in over your head and do not know where to begin, consider hiring a professional who will help you to assess your financial situation and create a game plan to get you back on track.

Read the full article here:

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/smart-spending/create-budget-works-for-you-1.aspx

American Families Increasingly Let Kids Make Buying Decisions

Marcos J. Cordero — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:55:37 +0000

Recent studies show that American kids are gaining more and more buying power as families are starting to let them make more decisions. These decisions range from what they are going to eat for breakfast to what type of car the parent should buy. Marketing departments are noticing the influence kids are having on the types of products bought, so they are starting to gear marketing efforts more towards the kids. This brings in more money for them immediately through the purchases, as well as creates a potential second-generation customer. The studies also show that kids are demanding more adult items, such as iPads, at the age of six. The question is-do you hand over the purchasing reins to your child?

Read the full article here:

http://business.time.com/2013/04/11/american-families-increasingly-let-kids-make-buying-decisions/

First Birthday Party Ideas

Marcos J. Cordero — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:12:54 +0000

Barbara of Barbara Neely Designs (http://www.etsy.com/shop/bndesigns) put together a spectacular birthday party for her son Bodhi. Normally, she is able to make beautiful invitations; however, when it came to her own son’s party, she went all out.

The vintage-meets-classic-prep-themed party was packed full of great design choices and created a timeless effect. Barbara is a paper professional, and didn’t let the guests down with her choice of design style. It is easy to see why she loves being creative-she has a natural talent for it. Not everyone can bring paper accents to life and create the perfect theme and party atmosphere.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for a vintage themed first birthday party, check out these beautiful photos and make it a reality!

To read this article:

http://blog.hwtm.com/2013/05/little-man-first-birthday-party/